I loved this vehicle because when I drove it everyone knew I was a MOM. I transported my kids, their friends, their stuff, their groceries, their Christmas presents, their diaper bags, car seats, and stuffed toys, their book bags, their sleeping bags, their sporting gear, their EVERYTHING! Driving that van was all about them! That van fit all six of us comfortably and we rarely heard the dreaded phrase "She's touching me"! It carried us on many family vacations to the coast, to Disney World, to San Diego, to North Dakota and beyond. I can't even begin to calculate how many trips it took to the dentist and doctor. Really that van was almost like a member of the family. It was faithful, dependable, and trust-worthy. And I never realized how much that van defined my identity - I was a mom and proud of it.
But times change. And even though I am still a mom, it's different now. I am needed in different ways but not so much in the transportation department anymore. Our poor van had many, many miles on it but it was such a trooper and was just like the Little Engine That Could - it just kept driving along. But the older it got, to more gas it used and since it was my vehicle to drive back and forth to work it became obvious that a smaller, more gas efficient vehicle would be a better option. So now I am driving this:
And I like it. It's definitely taken a bit of time to get used to being able to reach anywhere in the vehicle without leaving the drivers seat. I am getting more accustomed to the "go-cart" feeling from being seated so close to the road. I adjusted right away to having a car that is "my" car. I like how it is peppy and quick and I can fit into tight parking spots - no problem. Going to the gas station half as much is joyful. But I find myself still a bit sentimental about the old van and its statement about who I was and I find myself trying to understand where I am in my life now that I am "redefined" by a sportier, smaller vehicle. This vehicle change signifies a changepoint in my life. I like where I was and I think I like where I'm going but. . .
I find myself asking, "Can't I drive both?"
9 comments:
Robin, I love your site. The blue is so, so pretty. I can relate about driving a van. I'll have mine for a few more years. I'm not quite ready to give it up, but I am looking forward to the next phase when "hauling stuff" isn't a regular part of my day.
Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to visiting your place again!
Hi Robin, thanks for stopping by this morning and taking time to comment!. I can REALLY relate to your post about driving a new car. We are still driving our old GMC van with 170,000+ miles on it. I guess we'll drive it until it dies a natural death or until we need to put it out of it's misery. :-) I also like being up high and seeing what's going on a few cars down the road. That's what bugs me about regular cars! I'm almost hesitant to think about another, newer, "sportier" wheels as that doesn't seem to match "who I am". We may always keep a van for the sheer fact that its so practical and can transport building supplies for our house projects, help kids moving stuff...or for the day when we are blessed with those precious grandkids!! I hear ya girl!!
I can relate to all of this. I adored my little Ford Escort GT before we had children. I owned it for 15 years and 200,000+ miles before it quit.
I inherited my father-in-laws 1990 Geo Prism. I loved the shift part and had gradiose ideas of teaching our children how to drive a stick--you need to know how to drive this in case you are at a party and the only way safely home is by driving a stick shift I would always say.
2 years ago I was sitting at the traffic light. It WAS RED! I was rear-ended and shoved out into the intersection. My teenage son said Mom what did you do? ME? $%#$%@$#
It was a four car pile up set off by a drunk driver. It bent the frame of my 1990 Geo Prism. Our insuraance company informed us that when the car came up for renewal they would no longer insure it.
My hubby bought me a Push here dummy Ford Taurus. It does the trick and our kids will be driving soon. So much for my stick shift dream.
Have a great day All!
What a sweet post, Robin. I know exactly how you feel about that car. I've STILL got my 1992 Ford Explorer and Rob says we should sell it and I don't want to. It's way more car than I need any more but I'm very attached to it.
I want to thank you for introducing yourself and leaving such a sweet comment over at my place. Your name is in the hat for the wedding favor giveaway.
It's nice to meet you - what a nice blog you have. :-)
I did the same thing not too very long ago. Went from a van to a sedan. I LOVE it. I love my car. Well, of course not that the third boy is driving it is not really MY car anymore. My husband drives it and the boy drives my husband's. But no more van. My mom bought a van though. She hauls grandchildren around :)
Forgot to say that I laughed about your husband calling someone the wrong name during their wedding. I think that is my Butler's biggest fear.
By the way, he is packing for another trip tomorrow for another wedding ... same family as the one with the wrong pants. The mother-of-the-bride emailed him today and jokingly told him to "be sure to pack in the daylight." It was hilarious.
Bless your heart. These are the days of transitions, aren't they? Nice car though, enjoy!
Hey! That's my van! LOL We are actually "inheriting" my parents' Suburban because they now don't have quite the need for all that cargo space and we do. Our van is about to become the "man van." LOL
Some day I actually want a tiny little peppy vehicle. Either a Mini Cooper or VW Bug or a Smart Car even. I love the idea of driving around a sassy little car that better matches my personality than the big ol' cars I drive currently! LOL
But that is for another time... I'll enjoy the family car while I can for what it represents!
wow, the change in cars would be hard to get used to!
When we were preparing to move out of the country we had to sell everything we owned... every now and then I miss driving the kids around in the van as well!
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